Short Summary

The latest addition to the French Army, the Atomic Division, was on show recently to top NATO officers and diplomats.

Description

The latest addition to the French Army, the Atomic Division, was on show recently to top NATO officers and diplomats.The visitors included General Speidel, Commander of the Ground Forces, NATO, General Everest, Commander of US Air Force in Europe, General Cumon, Air Chief Marshal H.Mills and General Heusinger. The French Ambassador to Bonn, M.Couve De Murville, was also present.

Displays of the new division's equipment were the main feature of the day. Various high-speed troop carriers, principally the AMX and the Hoskitch, were demonstrated, as were several types of guided missiles, including the SS.10.

The Gillois Bridge, which folds onto the back of a lorry and constitutes a quick means of bridging a small river or depression, was put through its paces.

After these various displays the guests, led by General Jacquet, Commander of the FFA--the French Atomic Division--- and General Beauffre, took the salute at a march-past of the men in the unit.

The duties of this new atomic unit embrace a wider field than the conventional artillery regiment's. Its main purpose is speed in the field, rapid advancement using atomic and guided weapons and wide deployment.